Dental Assistant Schools

What does a Dental Assistant do?

A Dental Assistant will perform various patient care, office and laboratory duties in both small and large dental practices. They are responsible for making patients as comfortable as possible, preparing them for required treatment and obtaining dental records. During a patient exam, Dental Assistants hand instruments and materials to dentists, and keep patients' mouths clear by using suction or other devices.

Dental Assistants will also help sterilize instruments and equipment, prepare trays for dental procedures and instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care. Some Dental Assistants prepare materials for making impressions and restorations, expose radiographs, and process dental x-ray film.

They also may apply anesthetics to gums or cavity preventive agents to teeth, remove sutures, remove excess cement used in filling and/or place rubber dams on the teeth to isolate them for individual treatment.

Those with laboratory duties make casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions taken by dentists, clean and polish removable appliances, and make temporary crowns. A Dental Assistant with front office duties will schedule and confirm appointments, receive patients, keep treatment records, receive payments, send bills and may even help order dental supplies.